George Floyd

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On the 25th of May 2020, Police were called to a store in Minneapolis where it was suspected that a counterfeit $20 was tendered. 

The police subsequently arrested George Floyd, a  46-year-old father. 

Floyd was placed in handcuffs, he was peaceful, he was calm, he was not resisting arrest, yet four officers white officers had this black man on the ground face down, cuffed then officer Derick Chauvin shoved his knee onto George Floyd’s Neck and kept pressing. He pressed for 8 minutes and 46 seconds killing Mr Floyd in the process. 

While Chauvin was killing Floyd, Floyd kept saying that he couldn't breathe and asked these racist murdering cops not to kill him. They killed him anyway and the world responded, they started protesting for Justice for Floyd. Some started vandalizing and many thought it was because they were angry from the injustice. But as soon as the rioting started many who wanted to ignore the importance of the message from the protest started focusing on vandalism and not the message. And while I don't agree with vandalism, it is unfortunate that businesses were vandalized but a line was crossed when cops started killing people, people they were meant to protect. While these killings might not affect you it has affected the black community for many years. And they protest peacefully and everyone is with them, bills are drafted to change laws but these laws have to be voted on and this is where the many of the reforms in the criminal justice system that we need die. There are too many people in our government who don't believe in the cause of justice for black people. You can tell who they are. They are the ones who remain silent. They are the ones who are louder when there is a loss of property than when there is a loss of life. I don't have to tell you who they are, you know who they are. They spend 10 seconds of a 30-minute broadcast saying that what happened to George Floyd was sad, then for the majority of the program, they speak out against the violent nature of the protest. Yet fail to realize that life is much more important than property. That if everyone disappears property means nothing because it sits there serving nobody. But Humans are resilient and are able to start from nothing. Let me put it into perspective so you can understand. The price for a Boeing 737 Max 8 is well over 100 million US dollars. It can carry a passenger load of 178 people. If an aircraft crashes we don't focus on the aircraft that was lost we focus on the lives that were lost. The same principle applies to these protests, people should be peaceful but they are angry because when they remain peaceful they are still killed by police who are violent.

The list of names of black people who have been killed by cops is too much to handle on this one podcast. It’s hurtful to know the pain that the black community is going through and has been going through ever since they were brought to America on slave ships. 

America built its great economy on the backs of black slaves and since the abolition of slavery, this country has treated the descendants of these slaves like pariahs. America needs to change the way that black people are treated. Everyone should be treated equally but in this society, if you are black, unfortunately even if you get to the White house equality rarely happens. I am sickened that George Floyd lost his life on May 25th, 2020 and I am upset that it took video footage to make America realize the injustice that black people keep facing to this day. And even with the video footage, it took days of nationwide protesting for the police department to charge the officers involved claiming that due process must be maintained. George Floyd’s due process was 8 minutes and 46 seconds, that's how long the police officer kept his knee on George Floyd’s neck. But there are many other victims of police brutality who were not given their day in court because they are in the grave. It's as if the police have wagered a war against blacks. 

During these protests, many police officers have come out to say that not all cops are bad. And I agree with this statement, But being not bad at this time is not enough you have to be a force of good. One that will fight against evil the elements in the Police force. If you are a police officer and you know of other police officers that are bad and you stay silent about it you are allowing the bad cops to tarnish your good name. 

You should speak out against the corrupt elements in your department because you may be responding to an incident one day and the bad cop arrives on the scene and does something that places your career, freedom, or even life at risk. In George Floyd’s case, the killer cop arrived on the scene after Floyd was in handcuffs maybe if he wasn't on location George Floyd would still be alive today and the other cops would still be free and have their jobs, just think about that. Are you willing to let a dirty cop jeopardize your livelihood, your freedom, your life, and your family? There is a lot of risk, power, and responsibility that come with being a police officer. If you only embrace the power and ignore the responsibility then the job becomes riskier.

You are here to serve the people of this country, all the people of this country, they should all matter to you and black people are apart of the All. But because of your treatment, they don’t feel like they are apart of that group and this is why they emphasized that Black Lives Matter. Because for too long and by too many, they’ve been treated like they don’t matter. And I know some might say that I’m just one person what can I do. You can do a whole lot because you might not be the only one who wants to speak up but is afraid. But imagine that that bad cop just killed your kid would you be afraid to speak up then? So imagine that every day that that bad cop is out there he may encounter your child on the street. So do that cop a favor and help him get a different career where he cannot put people’s lives in danger. I read that in the King Crab industry deckhands make up to $15,000 per month out at sea. The bottom line is with great power comes great responsibility. 

 

Accountability does not fall on the officers alone it begins way before the officer takes to the street. It begins with congress and the laws that are written. Congress should update the laws that govern the police force frequently and make them more relevant to the times in which we live. And ensure there are no loopholes left for incorrect interpretation especially when it pertains to human rights. 

The selection process of who becomes police officers should be rigorous, the people who are selected to serve should be able to improve the quality of life for All Americans not reduce it. Racist people should not be allowed on the force. A thorough background check is needed that includes biases against people due to their looks, religion or beliefs. All Police Department training programs should be very comprehensive in deescalation without the use of force. Firearms are not needed in every scenario therefore firearms should be given based on the scenario. They should instead be equipped with non lethal tools designed for bringing calm and not taking lives. 

Police should be tasked with helping to improve their communities, not destroying it. 

The police should value everylife they come into contact with. Every family wants their loved ones to come home, not just the police family. 

The world is speaking out against racism, inequality and police brutality, we need to heal the world it's about time. Let's come together and stop the nonsense. 

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